No, I did not take a gondola ride in Venice.
Macaron Boxes,9" x 11 Nor did I find French macarons.
Why not be content with all the Tiramisu floating around Venice
These giant hazelnut-smothered cookies looked lethal to me, perhaps even weapon-like..? 
A massive meringue cake filled with vanilla cream with more cream on the side to drap over it - no way! 
In a pinch, one could settle for the ropes and ropes of liquirizia/liqurice lining the calle/streets of Venice... 
In desperation, I bought a Venetian guidebook to help me find local pastries - there are at least 22 listed: balcoli, bussolai ciosotri, castagnole, colombina, crema frita, curasan etc., etc. 
Rosa Salva is one of Venice's oldest, most revered pasticcerias in sestiere San Marco, 951, Calle Fiubera. It's a cafe as well so you can stop in for a coffee with your cantucci.
But I was not tempted.
At last I broke down and gobbled an unpronouncable sfogliatelle - a Naples specialty. Maybe I sucumbed because these are in my neighborhood in Astoria? And maybe because these are crispy? 
Look! Little Nutella tartelettes. What's wrong with these you ask? Are you saying to yourselves, "picky...picky?" 
All from pasticceria Toletta in sestiere Dorsodura, 1192, calle della Toletta, mentioned in the guide... 
As a so-called Paris pastry (painter)expert have I been ruined for the treats of the rest of the planet? I think I have.
I do love Italian Macedonia de fruita (basically an improved version of our 'fruitcup' minus the tin).
And there's ALWAYS gelato for dessert. No wonder I was reduced to going on The Gelato Dieta in Venice.
And there ARE plenty of dogs in Venice (more to come on them). So what's YOUR favorite Venetian dessert? Do tell all PBers!! 
I did find mini macarons at Toletta my last day in Venice... 
By then I'd given up hope and missed out tasting them. They're cleverly sitting in little caissette plissee/paper cups and the cream filling inside is decoratively squiggled. At least I got this photo in passing... I'll just have to return to Venice to taste them. c'est la vie.
BUON GIORNO MACARONS IN VENEZIA
It seems as if you were spoiled for choice in Venice.Still eating a ton of gelato is not a bad second option...
ReplyDeleteThose cookies with hazelnuts look lethal!
ReplyDeleteYour is the only blog that causes me weight gain just from reading it.... keep up the wonderful work.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Jeff
8O (wordless...)
ReplyDeleteJeff:
ReplyDeleteI promise you all PB photographs are calorie-free!!
Don't forget I have to shoot these, though it does get to be like working in a candy store most of the time - resistable.
Except for GELATO!!
xxCarolg
You take the most amazing sweets photos! I think I am gaining weight just looking at them! Love it!
ReplyDeleteKaren
I would eat any and all of the above, especially if I was in Venice. My gluten-free diet would be out the door!
ReplyDeletewell Italy does have other delightful things if not the most delicate of pastries..
ReplyDeleteTake Italian men for example?
Ah-haaaaa!
ReplyDeleteAfter all these years of looking at your delicious blog, it took this trip to Venice to realize you, dear Carol, are no doubt a "Tartelette," of sorts.
Always seducing us with images of creamy, chocolaty, syrupy, sweet and mouth-watering goodies, just beyond reach, but not beyond longing and enticement. What a very naughty girl you are...and from what I hear, always have been. Thank goodness you're also a wonderful artist. So I, for one, forgive your cajolery.
Please don't stop.
Contrary to you,
ReplyDeleteI love the cream Italian desserts like Zucotto and Cassata but, in general, I find them dry and boring.
Ruilli out here who years ago went to Italy and studied pastry/dessert making and came back to open a beautiful place in Larkspur. Very hi quality ingredients but boring pastries. I may be the only one who thinks so since the place is always packed and he has another place in SF and in the International Airport. Why do people like dry, uninteresting cookies, etc.?
xxx
Annie
Personally, I absolutely love those giant meringues. They are huge, about 6" across and it's like nibbling away at a stiff cloud. Piles of these things are in the windows of Italian bakeries. I can't remember what they're called though, something like seaform or something...(in Italian, of course!)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Carol - Italian pastries leave me sad and hungry. There's no finesse; they don't seduce you. But mmmmm... gelato... always the way to go!
ReplyDeleteLiquorice for me please...with a little caramel gelato on the side for afterwards....xv
ReplyDeleteWhoa....what a good girl you were in Italy, pastry-wise I mean. Some of those goodies looked "American-sized" and I guess I am biased, but as good as they must be I prefer the French pastry counter. Now as for Gelato...I am sure I would feel the need to taste as many flavors as possible.
ReplyDeleteThe nutella tartlettes look delicious! xxoo :)
ReplyDeleteYum, yum, but it's the gelato for me, any day. Nothing in the world like Italian ice cream. Lovely posts!
ReplyDeleteThe gelato was the best in Italy - I could eat it all day!
ReplyDeleteI remember a chocolate brownie, too. It was delicious - very rich chocolate.
all sorts of fritters...
ReplyDeletefritelle di mela
chiachhere (lemon)
tons of stuff...
Gosh, you are not loving Italian pastries?? Tiramisu is the one of the tastiest of desserts…and the sfogliatelle you removed the best part…the filling!! Anything with Nutella is just so amazing…..I agree Paris Pastries are awesome but Italian pastry is also pretty darn good. Cantucci and Biscotti are pretty wonderful with a cup of espresso any time of the day. Cannoli’s are my fave (hence my blog!!) maybe not from Venice but I am sure they are in Italy everywhere. What food did you enjoy in Italy while you were there?
ReplyDeleteYour French pastries have spoiled me, too! However, I am always prepared to lower my standards to take advantage of whatever is available!
ReplyDeleteI really don't think you are lowering your standards to have italian desserts.....just sayin'
ReplyDeleteHi, Carol!! I really love your paintings!! So great! And thi post is cool, with these fancy italian macarons!! Kisses!!
ReplyDeleteOoops I didn't mean to step on any canoli toes...
ReplyDeleteIt's the visuals that are missing for me.
The bright colors of French pastry and the geometry..
Do forgive por favore
xxCarolg
Carol, with all your recent posts, I am just travel envious. Paris surely is superb patisserie wise. Perhaps Venice comes into its heights via gelato and ... all those fish dishes?
ReplyDeleteThere can be multiple awards, and I am just happy to be able to follow your travels.
xo
Carol - did you have pizza in Venice?? I'm sure Bear would have been hanging out for a slice of genuine Italiano Pizza with the lot!! Non!
ReplyDeleteno offence but if you paint a cannoli with a cheery on the end that would make for a lovely painting!! italian desserts are better to be eaten I am afraid!!
ReplyDeleteOMG, my mouth waters every morning when I get your posting - this one is sooo inviting! Best, Claudia
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your blog! I've been experimenting with making macarons on my own for a while now and it has become somewhat of a hobby! I'll be in Paris during the first week of May, and I'm looking for an affordable macaron class to take while I'm there. I know that you've taken a few classes, and was wondering which one you would recommend? Thanks in advance for your advice, and thanks for sharing your lovely European adventures with all of us!
ReplyDeleteYeah, those hazelnuts do look like weapons! You have a great blog. Thanks for sharing all these pictures.
ReplyDeleteNo, I think Venetian pastry is nothing comparable to the French one (and I'm Italian!)... especially macarons! I have tried them once here in Italy... disgusting. But personally I'd have taken a hot chocolate at Florio <3 (historical cafè) that's expensive but great!
ReplyDeleteEhm... I meant "Florian" (I mixed Florian that is in Venice + Fiorio in Turin! eheheh)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that italian pastry are not french enough for your !
ReplyDeleteAnd yes,they definately doesn't look yummy like plastic yellow disc.
Hi Carol, I just saw your very funny posting on my MRI blog, about your pink undies! LOL, I can just imagine. Thanks for visiting....I love your site. Best, Claudia
ReplyDelete